Capcom just shook the survival horror world by announcing Resident Evil Requiem during the Xbox Games Showcase at Summer Game Fest 2025. The newest mainline entry in the legendary franchise has already stirred massive anticipation. Set for release on February 27, 2026, Resident Evil Requiem Capcom marks a dramatic and eerie return to Raccoon City—but with a twist no fan saw coming. This title is not just a continuation; it’s a reboot of fear itself.
Grace Ashcroft Enters the Arena: A New Hero for a New Horror
Capcom is introducing a brand-new protagonist in Resident Evil Requiem Capcom: FBI agent Grace Ashcroft. She’s no stranger to danger—her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft, appeared in Resident Evil Outbreak, and Grace is now stepping into a nightmare that feels all too familiar. When a string of murders leads her back to the remnants of Raccoon City, Grace uncovers the decaying shell of the once-thriving town—now ground zero for a new and deadlier virus strain.
Unlike previous protagonists, Grace isn’t a super-soldier or a trained mercenary. She’s an investigator—a trait that aligns well with Requiem’s slower, more atmospheric pacing. Her character design oozes tension: flashlight in one hand, gun in the other, and a trail of unanswered questions behind her.
This return to a more grounded character design has been praised as a nod to the series’ early days of true survival horror.
Gameplay Evolution: What’s New in Resident Evil Requiem Capcom?
While Resident Evil Requiem Capcom revisits familiar ground, the mechanics are getting a serious overhaul. Capcom has confirmed the following key gameplay enhancements:
- Freeform exploration: Non-linear map design encourages backtracking and secret discovery.
- Psychological horror mechanics: Sanity levels, hallucinations, and altered perceptions affect gameplay and puzzles.
- Minimal HUD: To increase immersion, players rely more on environmental cues and Grace’s expressions.
- Advanced AI: Enemies learn from your behavior—if you hide in lockers too often, they’ll start checking them.
- Flashback sequences: Grace’s past unravels as players experience playable memories that directly affect her psyche.
A noticeable shift from the action-heavy sequences of recent RE titles, Requiem feels more like Silent Hill crossed with Resident Evil 2 Remake. It’s an emotional and fear-driven journey that echoes the core essence of the original trilogy.
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Raccoon City Reborn: Environment, Graphics, and Setting
The setting is perhaps Resident Evil Requiem’s most shocking revelation—Raccoon City has returned, not rebuilt, but unearthed. The U.S. government buried it in concrete after the 1998 nuclear purge. But now, parts of the city have surfaced due to environmental decay and unauthorized excavation.
Players will explore:
- Flooded Subways: Filled with aquatic B.O.W.s mutated from decades underground.
- Overgrown Police Station: Nature and rot have reclaimed the once-bustling RPD.
- Bio-Labs: Secret Umbrella labs beneath the city still hold living horrors.
- Memory Echo Zones: Unique, distorted versions of old locations that reflect Grace’s mental state.
Capcom’s RE Engine has been pushed to its limits here. Real-time lighting, ray-traced shadows, and dynamic weather systems make this the most visually terrifying Resident Evil yet.
Legacy Characters and Lore: Tying Past to Present
One of the biggest draws for Resident Evil Requiem Capcom is how deeply it taps into long-lost lore. The game promises subtle but meaningful connections to past characters and events. While Grace Ashcroft is new, her ties to Alyssa and the Outbreak timeline open doors for cameo appearances from:
- Jill Valentine: Rumored to be operating undercover.
- Ada Wong: Linked to a mysterious handler that guides Grace remotely.
- Sherry Birkin: Potential appearance as a government advisor tracking post-G-virus anomalies.
Umbrella may be gone, but a new pharmaceutical threat—Cenata Industries—is rising, manipulating bio-terrorism for experimental profit. Their connection to Umbrella’s failed legacy is expected to unfold through collectible documents and flashbacks.
Resident Evil Requiem Capcom: The Franchise at 30
This installment arrives at a critical moment. Resident Evil turns 30 in 2026, and Capcom is treating Requiem as a love letter to longtime fans while modernizing the experience for new players. Rather than just churning out another action-zombie hybrid, the team has deliberately crafted a slower, more cerebral horror game.
Expect plenty of callbacks:
- Classic key puzzles return—but with AI-driven logic twists.
- Inventory Tetris is back, now affected by psychological stress levels.
- Typewriters save points return, but autosave is removed for higher difficulties.
The game even offers a Retro Mode that mimics fixed camera angles and tank controls for nostalgic players.
Editions, Platforms, and Bonus Content
Capcom has confirmed three editions:
| Edition | Price (Estimated) | Bonus Features |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $69.99 | Base game |
| Deluxe | $89.99 | Soundtrack, Retro Mode skins, Artbook |
| Collector’s | $249.99 | Grace Ashcroft statue, Raccoon City blueprint map, DLC pass |
The game will release on:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (via Steam)
Pre-orders will begin in October 2025, with a playable demo rumored to drop in December during Capcom’s Winter Showcase.
Closing Thoughts: Fear Reawakened
With Resident Evil Requiem Capcom, the franchise is not just continuing—it’s evolving. The decision to return to psychological horror, reintroduce a devastated Raccoon City, and debut a compelling new heroine could cement this entry as a modern classic. It’s bold, brooding, and bloody—and it looks like Capcom is done playing it safe.
If you’ve been waiting for a Resident Evil game that feels like a nightmare you can’t wake from, Requiem might just be your favorite horror story yet.
Get ready. Raccoon City is calling again—only this time, it may never let you leave.
Pre-order announcements, demos, and final gameplay footage are expected soon. Stay connected, because when the lights go out, Requiem begins.